OAR Annual Conference 2022
By: J. David Chapman/September 15, 2022
I am writing this week’s column while in Tulsa at the Oklahoma Association of Realtors Annual Conference. This year’s meeting is being held at the Mayo Hotel.
The Mayo Hotel was built in 1925, designed by architect George Winkler and financed by John D. and Cass A. Mayo. The base of two-story Doric columns supports 14 floors marked with false terra cotta balconies. When built, the hotel was the tallest building in Oklahoma. Amenities such as ceiling fans in each room and Tulsa’s first running ice water made the hotel a favorite during summer months.
This beautiful, historic building is the perfect backdrop for the three-day annual conference of Oklahoma’s Realtors. The conference started off with a Broker Summit. The Broker Summit explored the changing economy, market and industry. It provided an opportunity for Oklahoma brokers to collaborate with one another and discuss current issues affecting the offices and business. Brokers also had the opportunity learn about the National Association of Realtors’ Broker Engagement Program, hear a political and legislative update from OAR about the top issues at the state Capitol, and have a conversation with Grant Cody, executive director of the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission.
Keynote presentations were given by Lani Rosales (Reclaiming Real Estate: A Post-Pandemic Pep Talk) and Gene Marks (The Coming Recession). Breakout sessions were offered by Kelly Kilmer (Lead Generation), Josh Cadillac (Inflation: Dealing with an Inflationary Market and Why Real Estate is the Answer), Brian Woods (Take Your Business to the Next Level – Going Global), Josh Cadillac (Crypto: How to Understand and Meet Customers’ Needs in a Blockchain World), Cindy Manchester (HGTV – How it is Influencing the Real Estate Market), Josh Cadillac (The No Nonsense Negotiating Course), Gene Marks (The Coming Recession, A Deeper Dive with Q&A),and Chloe Hecht (Legal and Industry Update).
A lot of networking was available for attendees, and an award ceremony and installation banquet were favorites. The conference ended with Oklahoma licensees given continuing education credit to attend the September meeting of the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission, with the commissioners going on the road to hold their meeting in Tulsa at the OAR conference.
Opportunities such as the Oklahoma Association of Realtors’ annual conference are critical to increase the competency level of individuals and the professionalism of the entire industry.
J. David Chapman is professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).